Golf swing practice device and method of use

ABSTRACT

A golf swing practice device ( 20 ) includes a substantially j-shaped shaft ( 22 ) having a golf grip ( 24 ) at a first end and a back-touching member ( 26 ) at an opposite second end. To use the device, a golfer grasps golf grip ( 24 ), moves through a backswing until back-touching member ( 26 ) touches the back ( 502 ) and then takes a practice swing forward ending up in a follow through position where back-touching member ( 26 ) again touches the back ( 502 ). Repeating practice swings with the present invention “grooves” the golfer&#39;s swing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention pertains generally to the game of golf, and more particularly to a golf swing practice device wherein a golfer can sense the proper position of his hands, arms, and body during a golf swing. By repetition, the sensed positions are programmed into the golfer's swing, and are therefore repeated when the golfer actually plays a game of golf.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Devices for practicing and “grooving” a golf swing are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,462,955 shows a club swing practice means for golfers. The device has an arm having a touch portion which makes touching contact with the user's body to indicate that the club is properly initially poised by the user, and the user's arms and body are in proper initial stance preparatory to swinging the club in a golf playing stroke. During the backstroke, the touch portion comes in contact with the top of the user's elevated shoulder, thus making the user aware that the proper poising of the club has been attained. The arm may be selectively longitudinally positioned along the shaft of a golf club to accommodate golfers of different stature. U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,356 illustrates a golf swing training device having a mounting bracket positioned on the shaft of a golf club, a fastener which has a threaded shank engaged with the bracket and an enlarged head, a rod which extends through an aperture in the head, and a clamping sleeve received on the head between the bracket and the rod. The fastener cooperates with the bracket and the sleeve to releasably secure the bracket to the club shaft with the rod in an extending position. The position of the rod is adjusted so that a free end of the rod touches one shoulder of a golfer when he has executed a proper backswing. U.S. Pat. 4,682,775 shows a golf swing training device that is attached to the shaft of a golf club at a predetermined position below the bottom of the hand grip portion. The device has a primary clamp assembly formed from a top block member and a bottom block member whose respective bottom surface and top surface have mating semi-cylindrical shaped channels that accommodate the shaft of a golf club. There is structure for releasably clamping the two block members together. An elongated training arm has one end gripped by a secondary clamp assembly. The secondary clamp assembly is structurally connected to the top surface of the primary clamp assembly and may be angularly rotated with respect to the top block member. When the training device is on the shaft of the golf club and the player is in his address position, the training arm extends rearwardly and downwardly with its free end in proximate contact with the golfer's rear leg at a position between his knee and ankle. If the golfer makes a proper swing that presents the face of the golf club either perpendicular to the target or closed with respect to the target, the training arm will pass by the players leg without making contact. If the player opens the face of the club as it travels through the hitting zone, the training arm will strike the player on the leg. U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,925 discloses a golf swing training and muscle exercising apparatus or club which includes a shaft having the non-grip end bent at about 22.5 degrees and on which off-center swing weights are rotatably mounted enabling a user to simulate the movements of a proper golf swing and which also exercise the muscles. Two embodiments are provided in this invention, each based upon the same design principle. One embodiment is intended for use outdoors, e.g., at the driving range or even on the course. The other embodiment, is preferably intended for use indoors, but can be used anywhere. U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,306 comprises a golf swing training apparatus provided for generally improving a golfer's golf club swing technique. A rigid hand grip is connected to one end of a flexible, tubular shaft. The other end of the shaft is connected to a ball. The device has a required overall length as to just fit between a vertical aligned with the outside of one arm of the golfer, the arm resting at the golfer's side, and the wrist of the golfer's other arm when the other arm and hand are jointly stretched horizontally. A threaded shaft length adjustment connector is included at a point along the shaft for adjusting the overall length of the shaft. In use, the overall length, the flexibility of the tube, and the weight of the ball combine to result in a swing action such that on each correctly executed backswing the ball gently touches one side of the golfer just below the golfer's other arm. Likewise, on each correctly executed foreswing follow through, the ball gently touches the other side of the golfer just below the arm. However, on each incorrectly executed backswing or foreswing, the ball touches the golfer contrariwise, either more forcefully or less forcefully than with a correctly executed swing, so that the golfer receives a tactile feedback indication of the correctness of each swing and is thus able to improve swing technique.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is directed to a golf swing practice device which assists a golfer in developing a consistent or “grooved” golf swing. The present invention teaches the golfer to reach the proper position at the top of the backswing, through the foreswing, and at the follow through. The device is j-shaped having a golf grip at one end and a back-touching member at the opposite end. When the present invention is used properly, the back-touching member touches the central portion of the back. In contrast, prior art devices contact the shoulder. By allowing the back-touching member to travel a longer distance and touch the golfer's back, the golf swing practice device of the present invention has an arc more accurately simulating the backswing, foreswing, and follow through that are more accurate and consistent with a regular club.

[0004] The present invention can be utilized by golfers of differing physical sizes and statures. Additionally, use of the present invention can be altered to vary the length of the backswing. Choking the golf grip will cause the backswing to be shorter. Conversely, lengthening the grip will result in a longer backswing. In a preferred method of use for a right handed golfer, the back-touching member touches the golfer's back just right of center (the spine) at the top of the backswing. The back-touching member touches the golfer's back just to the left of center at the follow through. A preferred name for the present invention is “Back-Tee-Back”.

[0005] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a golf swing practice device includes a substantially j-shaped shaft having a golf grip at a first end and a back-touching member at an opposite second end. In a preferred embodiment the j-shaped shaft defines a plane.

[0006] In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the back-touching member is spherical and is shaped like a golf ball.

[0007] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, a golf swing practice device includes a substantially j-shaped shaft having a connector at a first end and a back-touching member at an opposite second end. The connector is selectively connectable to the shaft of a golf club so the golf club can be used as a practice swing training device.

[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a golf swing practice device, in accordance with the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the golf swing practice device;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the golf swing practice device;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a reduced side elevation view showing the initial address position of the golf swing practice device before the golfer initiates a practice swing;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a view along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a reduced front elevation view of a golfer using the golf swing practice device, showing the golfer at the top of the backswing;

[0015]FIG. 7 is view along the line 7 of FIG. 6 showing the back and spine of the golfer;

[0016]FIG. 8 is a reduced side elevation view of a golfer using the golf swing practice device, showing the golfer at the top of the backswing;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a reduced rear elevation view of a golfer using the golf swing practice device, showing the golfer at the end of the follow through;

[0018]FIG. 10 is a view along the line 10 of FIG. 9 showing the back and spine of the golfer;

[0019]FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of a golf swing practice device;

[0020]FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the second embodiment of the golf swing practice device;

[0021]FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the second embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the second embodiment showing a connector in an open golf club shaft receiving position;

[0023]FIG. 15 is a reduced side elevation view showing the initial position of the second embodiment of the golf swing practice device before the golfer initiates a practice swing;

[0024]FIG. 16 is a view along the line 16-16 of FIG. 15; and, FIG. 17 is a reduced front elevation view of a golfer using the second embodiment, showing the golfer at the top of the backswing.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0025] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, there are illustrated side elevation, front elevation, and top plan views respectively of a golf swing practice device in accordance with the present invention, generally designated as 20. Golf swing practice device 20 includes a substantially j-shaped ridged shaft 22 having a golf grip 24 at a first end and a back-touching member 26 at an opposite second end. J-shaped shaft 22 is shaped substantially like the letter “J” and in a preferred embodiment defines a plane 28. In a preferred embodiment back-touching member 26 has a spherical shape and is shaped like a golf ball. However, it may be readily appreciated that back-touching member 26 could be of any shape, and in fact could simply comprise the second end of j-shaped shaft 22, without having any body attached thereto. Golf swing practice device 20 differs from a golf club in that (1) it has a j-shape, and (2) it does not have a golf ball-striking head at its second end.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a reduced side elevation view showing the initial position of the golf swing practice device 20 before the golfer 500 initiates a practice swing. Golfer 500 is in a ball addressing position.

[0027]FIG. 5 is a view along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4. Golf swing practice device 20 has been oriented so that plane 28 of j-shaped shaft 22 is substantially vertical, and back-touching member 26 is oriented upward.

[0028]FIG. 6 is a reduced front elevation view of a golfer 500 using the golf swing practice device 20 at the top of the backswing. Golfer 500 grasps the golf grip 24 of golf swing practice device 20, and positions j-shaped shaft 22 so that plane 28 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is oriented substantially vertically and back-touching member 26 is oriented upward (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). Golfer 500 then raises the device in a backswing until back-touching member 26 touches the back 502.

[0029]FIG. 7 is downward view along the line 7 of FIG. 6 showing the back 502 and spine 504 of the golfer 500 at the top of the backswing. For a correct swing, back-touching member 26 touches the back 502 of the golfer 500 slightly to the right R of the golfer's spine 504 for a right handed golfer 500, and slightly to the left L of the golfer's spine 504 for a left handed golfer 500.

[0030]FIG. 8 is a reduced side elevation view of a golfer using the golf swing practice device, showing the golfer at the top of the backswing.

[0031]FIG. 9 is a reduced rear elevation view of a golfer 500 using the golf swing practice device 20 after he has swung the device through the fill arc to the end of the follow through. Back-touching member 26 just touches the back 502.

[0032]FIG. 10 is a downward view along the line 10 of FIG. 9 showing the back 502 and spine 504 of the golfer 500 at the end of the follow through. If properly done, back-touching member 26 touches the back 502 of the golfer 500 slightly to the left L of the golfer's spine 504 for a right handed golfer 500, and slightly to the right R of the golfer's spine 504 for a left handed golfer 500.

[0033] FIGS. 11-13 illustrate side elevation, front elevation, and top plan views, respectively, of a second embodiment of the golf swing practice device, generally designated 120. Golf swing practice device 120 is selectively attachable to the shaft 506 of a golf club as shown in FIG. 15. Golf swing practice device 120 includes a substantially j-shaped substantially planar rigid shaft 122 having a connector 124 at a first end and a back-touching member 126 at an opposite second end.

[0034]FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the second embodiment 120 showing connector 124 in an open golf club shaft-receiving position. Connector 124 consists of a threaded knob which may be loosened to open the jaws of the connector 124, and then tightened to clamp the jaws of the connector 124 around the golf club shaft 506.

[0035]FIG. 15 is a reduced side elevation view showing the initial position of the second embodiment of the golf swing practice 120 device before the golfer 500 initiates a practice swing. Golfer 500 is in a ball addressing position.

[0036]FIG. 16 is a view along the line 16-16 of FIG. 15. Golf swing practice device 120 has been oriented so that plane 128 ofj-shaped shaft 122 is substantially vertical, and back-touching member 126 is oriented upward.

[0037]FIG. 17 is a reduced front elevation view of a golfer 500 using the second embodiment 120 at the top of the backswing. Connector 124 is selectively connectable to the shaft 506 of the golf club so that golf swing practice device 120 is rigidly held in place. In this fashion, any golf club may be used to practice the principles of the present invention. The golfer 500 may select a longitudinal attachment point on shaft 506 of the golf club that will produce a desired backswing length. Attaching connector 124 nearer the grip end of the golf club by moving connector 124 in direction 130 will cause a shorter backswing since back-touching member 126 will contact the back 502 earlier in the backswing. Conversely, attaching connector 124 nearer the head end of the golf club by moving connector 124 in direction 132 will cause a longer backswing since back-touching member 126 will contact the back 502 later in the backswing. The positional relationships of back-touching member 126, back 502, and spine 504 in golf swing practice device 120 are the same as those previously described and shown for golf swing practice device 20 in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10.

[0038] Golf swing practice device 120 is used in the following manner:

[0039] (1) providing a golf club having a shaft 506 and a golf grip;

[0040] (2) rigidly attaching connector 124 to shaft 506 of the golf club, so that when a golfer assumes a golf ball-addressing position, plane 128 of j-shaped shaft 122 is substantially vertical and back-touching member 126 is oriented upward as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0041] (3) the golfer 500 grasping the golf grip of the golf club;

[0042] (4) the golfer 500 positioning j-shaped shaft 122 so that plane 128 is oriented substantially vertical and back-touching member 126 is oriented upward, and,

[0043] (5) the golfer 500 taking a backswing until back-touching member 126 touches the back 502.

[0044] The preferred embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, dimensional variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A golf swing practice device, comprising: a substantially j-shaped shaft having a golf grip at a first end and a back-touching member at an opposite second end.
 2. A golf swing practice device according to claim 1, further including: said back-touching member having a spherical shape.
 3. A golf swing practice device according to claim 2, further including: said back-touching member shaped like a golf ball.
 4. A golf swing practice device for selective attachment to the shaft of a golf club, comprising: a substantially j-shaped shaft having a connector at a first end and a back-touching member at an opposite second end; and, said connector selectively connectable to the shaft of the golf club.
 5. A golf swing practice device according to claim 4, further including: said back-touching member having a spherical shape.
 6. A golf swing practice device according to claim 5, further including: said back-touching member shaped like a golf ball.
 7. A method for practicing a golf swing, comprising: providing a substantially j-shaped shaft having a golf grip at a first end and a back-touching member at an opposite second end, said j-shaped shaft defining a plane; a golfer grasping said golf grip; the golfer positioning said j-shaped shaft so that said plane is oriented substantially vertically and said back-touching member is oriented upward, and, the golfer taking a backswing until said back-touching member touches the back of the golfer.
 8. The method for practicing a golf swing according to claim 7, further including: said back-touching member touching the back of the golfer slightly to the right of the golfer's spine for a right handed golfer, and slightly to the left of the golfer's spine for a left handed golfer.
 9. The method for practicing a golf swing according to claim 8, further including: the golfer taking a foreswing which continues to a follow through position wherein said back-touching member touches the back of the golfer.
 10. The method for practicing a golf swing according to claim 9, further including: said back-touching member touching the back of the golfer slightly to the left of the golfer's spine for a right handed golfer, and slightly to the right of the golfer's spine for a left handed golfer.
 11. A method for practicing a golf swing, comprising: providing a substantially j-shaped shaft having a connector at a first end and a back-touching member at an opposite second end, said j-shaped shaft defining a plane; providing a golf club having a shaft and a golf grip; rigidly attaching said connector to said shaft of said golf club, so that when a golfer assumes a golf ball-addressing position, said plane is substantially vertical and said back-touching member is oriented upward; the golfer grasping said golf grip of said golf club; the golfer positioning said j-shaped shaft so that said plane is oriented substantially vertically and said back-touching member is oriented upward, and, the golfer taking a backswing until said back-touching member touches the back of the golfer.
 12. The method for practicing a golf swing according to claim 11, further including: said back-touching member touching the back of the golfer slightly to the right of the golfer's spine for a right handed golfer, and slightly to the left of the golfer's spine for a left handed golfer.
 13. The method for practicing a golf swing according to claim 12, further including: the golfer taking a foreswing which continues to a follow through position wherein said back-touching member touches the back of the golfer.
 14. The method for practicing a golf swing according to claim 13, further including: said back-touching member touching the back of the golfer slightly to the left of the golfer's spine for a right handed golfer, and slightly to the right of the golfer's spine for a left handed golfer.
 15. The method for practicing a golf swing according to claim 11, further including: in said step of rigidly attaching said connector to said shaft of said golf club, selecting a longitudinal attachment point on said shaft of said golf club that will produce a desired backswing length. 